According to Cisco, its high-end routing, 12000 series GSR will improve
both the speed and scalability of AOL's Internet backbone. The GSR is
expected to also increase dial-access aggregation, expand Internet access,
and provide greater connectivity of multiple AOL sites.

"When AOL needed to connect their new data center via multiple OC-12 (622
Mbps) links, the Cisco 12000 series with packet-over-SONET technology
provided the most efficient engine to complete the job," said Don Listwin,
executive vice president of Cisco Systems, in a statement.

AOL used the Cisco 12000 GSR in building the TeraPOP, the largest Internet
exchange point in the world, to enable fast Internet access to its
customers. By deploying packet-over-SONET technology in the Cisco 12000,
AOL can effectively increase user capacity and provide faster response
times for customers.

With the Cisco 12000 series, AOL is able to maintain multiple connections
and direct, high-speed connectivity to Internet service providers (ISPs).
AOL will also deploy the Cisco 12000 for intersite connectivity between
data centers and for access to AOLNet, AOL's private dial-up network.

"AOL is currently supporting more than 730,000 simultaneous users, more
than 18,800 Web hits per second, and continues to experience explosive
growth," said Joe Barrett, AOL's vice president of Internet Operations.
"With the Cisco 12000 gigabit switch router, we found an excellent solution
to position ourselves for continued growth."